Pat Garrett & Billy the Kid Soundtrack: Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid is a 1973 American revisionist Western film directed by Sam Peckinpah and written by Rudy Wurlitzer. The film stars James Coburn, Kris Kristofferson, Richard Jaeckel, Katy Jurado, Chill Wills, Barry Sullivan, Jason Robards, Slim Pickens, and Bob Dylan.
The film follows an aging Pat Garrett (Coburn), hired as a lawman by a group of wealthy New Mexico cattle barons to bring down his old friend Billy the Kid (Kristofferson). It was released on May 23, 1973 by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer.
Quick Facts
| Title | Pat Garrett & Billy the Kid |
| Film Release Date | May 23, 1973 |
| Soundtrack Release Date | July 13, 1973 |
| Director | Sam Peckinpah |
| Writer | Rudy Wurlitzer |
| Composer | Bob Dylan |
| Label | Columbia Records |
| Genre | Western; Country Rock / Folk Rock / Film Score |
| Starring | James Coburn, Kris Kristofferson, Bob Dylan |
| Where to Watch | Prime Video, Apple TV+ (rent/buy) |
Who Composed the Pat Garrett & Billy the Kid Soundtrack?
Bob Dylan composed the score and songs for Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid, his first feature film score. Dylan was brought onto the production by Kris Kristofferson, initially to write a title song; director Sam Peckinpah was reportedly so moved after hearing Dylan perform “Billy” that he offered him the small on-screen role of “Alias” on the spot. Dylan recorded the material in January and February 1973, first at CBS Discos Studios in Mexico City and then at Burbank Studios in California, with Gordon Carroll producing.
The resulting album, Pat Garrett & Billy the Kid, was released on July 13, 1973 by Columbia Records — Dylan’s twelfth studio album and his first-ever soundtrack album. It is largely instrumental, built around recurring themes rather than conventional songs, and features backing musicians including Roger McGuinn, Booker T. Jones, Jim Keltner, and Byron Berline. The album reached number 16 on the Billboard 200, was certified Gold by the RIAA, and earned Dylan a Grammy Award nomination for Best Original Score. Its best-known track, “Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door,” became a trans-Atlantic Top 20 hit and has since been covered by Eric Clapton, Guns N’ Roses, and Warren Zevon, among many others.
Every Song on the Pat Garrett & Billy the Kid Soundtrack
Side One:
| Song | Length |
| “Main Title Theme (Billy)” (instrumental) | 6:07 |
| “Cantina Theme (Workin’ for the Law)” (instrumental) | 2:57 |
| “Billy 1” | 3:57 |
| “Bunkhouse Theme” (instrumental) | 2:17 |
| “River Theme” (instrumental) | 1:30 |
Side Two:
| Song | Length |
| “Turkey Chase” (instrumental) | 3:34 |
| “Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door” | 2:32 |
| “Final Theme” (instrumental) | 5:23 |
| “Billy 4” | 5:04 |
| “Billy 7” | 2:10 |
Where to Stream the Pat Garrett & Billy the Kid Soundtrack
The album is available to stream on Spotify, Apple Music, and Amazon Music. The film itself is not currently on a major subscription service, but it can be rented or purchased digitally on Prime Video and Apple TV+, and it was restored and reissued on 4K UHD and Blu-ray by the Criterion Collection in 2024.
Cast of Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid
- James Coburn as Sheriff Pat Garrett
- Kris Kristofferson as Billy the Kid
- Bob Dylan as Alias
- Jason Robards as Governor Lew Wallace
- Richard Jaeckel as Sheriff Kip McKinney
- Katy Jurado as Mrs. Baker
- Chill Wills as Lemuel
- Barry Sullivan as John Chisum
- Slim Pickens as Sheriff Colin Baker
Frequently Asked Questions
Who composed the Pat Garrett & Billy the Kid soundtrack?
Bob Dylan composed the score and songs, marking his first feature film soundtrack. He also appeared in the film as the character Alias.
When was the Pat Garrett & Billy the Kid soundtrack released?
The album was released on July 13, 1973 by Columbia Records, about seven weeks after the film’s May 23, 1973 theatrical release.
What is the most famous song on the soundtrack?
“Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door” is the album’s best-known track. It became a trans-Atlantic Top 20 hit and has been covered by artists including Eric Clapton, Guns N’ Roses, and Warren Zevon.
Who directed and wrote Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid?
The film was directed by Sam Peckinpah and written by Rudy Wurlitzer. It stars James Coburn as Pat Garrett and Kris Kristofferson as Billy the Kid.
Did the Pat Garrett & Billy the Kid soundtrack chart or win awards?
The album reached number 16 on the Billboard 200, was certified Gold by the RIAA, and was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Original Score. It was also nominated for a BAFTA Award for Best Film Music.
Related reading: Browse more movie soundtracks, or see our guides to Prime Video and Apple TV+ for where to watch titles like this one.